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October 31st. Halloween. Nolan and his girlfriend went to a party that took place in the city center. Nolan didn't really want to go there, but his girlfriend insisted that she wanted to go there. He said, "Why don't you just go and buy some candy?" —Silly. Playing cough or life with neighbors is a tradition. Besides, you can't buy good emotions. I know it's not scary, so I want to have fun.
If he didn't love Grace, he wouldn't have dragged his ass to this not-so-scary party for the world. The Halloween atmosphere died long ago in Nolan's heart. He watched so many horror movies that he just got used to them. Even as a child, they didn't really impress him. The only thing that kept Nolan awake at night was the cryptipast "Squidward's suicide." After that, nothing could scare him.
But it doesn't seem to be a particular problem. Horror stories don't necessarily have to cause fear. They also work quite well as a comedy, especially the absurd ones. But precisely because most horror movies try to look serious, they look ridiculous and simple... Boring. At least for Nolan. Every year he desperately tries to find some plot hole in a horror movie and his friends laugh because Nolan turns into a buzzkill.
That's why they always call him. But this time the guy went with his girlfriend because they had a date. They will meet with friends later.
The fair was very lively. Here and there people walked around in creepy costumes of Dracula, Frankenstein, the Plague Doctor and other horror characters. Scream masks and Friday the 13th were on sale. Children ran around in them with toy knives and pretended to be maniacs. Well, children are children.
Nolan and Grace went to the shooting range first, because why not? Nolan even managed to win a small plush toy. Huh, Carl always called him crooked-armed. Apparently he was hiding his own complexes.
They played the game catch an apple from a barrel and bought cotton candy. Grace had fun, but Nolan didn't. No, he wasn't sad. He was just indifferent to Halloween. The fun didn't come somehow. It was comforting that Grace was happy. As if that's all him need.
—I'm going to step back for a minute, - the girl said and went to the public toilets. Nolan decided to sit on a bench and eat some sugary cotton candy. She was too sweet. How does Grace eat it at all?
If you think about it, Halloween is beautifully carved pumpkins with candles, free candy and time with friends watching another no-scary horror movie. It's just a part of life. The only thing that has been working for centuries and flawlessly is Boo! when your friend abruptly grabs you by the shoulders and looks at you with a smile. It's always scary.
And if it's your girlfriend, then she drags you to a horror quest because she wants to, and you can't refuse, but you don't mind either.
Grace gives the money to the cashier and drags Nolan by the hand. Nolan pretends to be interested. Well, actually, yes. The scenery changes from year to year and looking for a difference can really distract from the fact that a monster is about to pop out from around the corner.
People in a witch costume quietly leans out from around the corner. Nolan looks at her. He doesn't react in any way. He wasn't scared. He just walked up to the witch and said dryly and emotionlessly, "stupid witch."
But the girl continued to fulfill her role. You never know what kind of visitors come across.
Suddenly, Nolan heard a scream. This is Grace. The guy at first thought that someone had suddenly jumped out in front of her. He came over and asked worriedly:
—Grace? Is everything okay?
—I saw a spider the size of a fist! You know how scared I am of them.
Nolan looked at the upper-right corner.
—This spider is not real.
—Really?
The guy pointedly touched him.
—Aah! Don't touch him!
—It's all right, Grace. He's rubbery - Nolan was holding him by the paw right in front of Grace's terrified face. She covered it with her hands.
Going further, a man jumped out of the refrigerator at them. The girl started in surprise and hid a little behind Nolan's back. Nolan knocked on the refrigerator with a stony face. The man opened the door.
—You're frostbitten - Nolan joked as emotionlessly as possible, which made Grace laugh, and not ironically. They went on.
In the room before leaving, they were suddenly stopped by a man.
—You have big problems.
Nolan frowned.
—Who are you? - The guy asked.
—Follow me - the man opened the secret door of the maze. Nolan and Grace exchanged glances. What happened?
They followed the man. He led them into a building. It looked like a waiting room.
—Sit down, we'll explain everything to you now. And the man just left.
Nolan looked confused.
—Grace, what's going on? Is this the end?
—I do not know. Something had obviously happened - the girl looked worried.
They sat like that for about 7 minutes until this guy and one of the actresses from the maze returned. When they entered, the couple immediately stood up.
—The girl behind my back... Her name is Stephanie.
—Nice to meet you, - the girl said.
—Mutually - Nolan twisted his face into a strange smile and held out his hand.
—NO! - The man suddenly shouted, - you can't touch her hand!
Nolan was stunned.
—Why not? - Grace asked.
—I am a carrier of a dangerous viral disease called Trimitucasis. These bacteria were discovered not so long ago and they slowly destroys the body. Life goes on not for days, but for hours. They found them in my body, but I'm not afraid of them. They are transmitted by airborne droplets and you could easily get infected. You need to be examined urgently.
Nolan's jaw dropped. What other deadly virus? What kind of examinations? They just came for a horror quest. Grace was very shocked.
The man called an ambulance. They picked up the phone. The man gave the address and told Nolan and Grace not to go anywhere, but to sit and wait. The couple was left alone.
—Grace, what's going on?
—She said we could be infected. I'm afraid - the girl looked scared.
Nolan hugged her.
—It's so weird. I haven't heard anything about this virus.
—Me too. Probably everyone will find out about him soon.
It was a contradictory feeling in Nolan's chest. There's something wrong here. But what? Are they really infected? And if so? Well, Nolan hasn't seen a doctor in a long time, so maybe it's for the best.
The waiting was excruciatingly tense. It's been 15 minutes, and there's still no ambulance. Nolan was kicking his leg while he was sitting. The waiting was driving him crazy. Why aren't there any? Maybe they didn't call anyone? Are we just wasting our time?!
Fortunately, Nolan's paranoia was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. The doctors did arrive.
The man, well, the one who stopped the "fun" pastime on the horror quest, pointed to the victims.
The doctors changed the pulse first. Grace's pulse was elevated, and Nolan's was lowered.
—Maybe it's because of the excitement? - Grace asked.
—No girl. With this disease, the hand is throbbing unnaturally. And your friend's pulse is ALREADY low. This is very bad. Your pulse will drop soon too. Then your head will start to spin, you may feel sick and even faint. But we can still help you, because at this stage the virus can be killed. You need to go to the hospital right away.
Grace was scared, and Nolan looked confused... Also a little scared. Now he has completely forgotten about skepticism, because what the fuck?! They just came to a horror quest, and now they are in serious danger?
Everyone puts on masks, everyone goes to the ambulance. Victims is put in a car and the doctors go to the hospital. They even turned on the flashing lights.
Grace was terrified, and Nolan hugged her. He was uncomfortable too. The part of his mind that had put this circus in doubt had faded into the background. But not completely. It was so absurd that it was even real. Nolan put his fingers to his wrist. Was the pulse normal? No, he seems to be a little slower than usual. There is no dizziness yet and no nausea either, but knowing that it could start soon, Nolan was uncomfortable. He was very nervous. He couldn't calm Grace down. Someone would have calmed him down.
All the way to the hospital (and it was 15 minutes) Nolan couldn't help but think about it. In the middle of the road, he calmed down a little, but when the car was already approaching the hospital, the guy's heart began to beat faster. It was as if he began to feel dizzy.
The car doors opened. Behind them were people in a full set of chemical protection. Nolan began to panic. He couldn't hide it. His girlfriend was just perplexed, but Nolan... He just shouted:
—What the fuck?! I've come for a horror quest! What the FUCK?!
The guy was in a fierce panic.
The couple got out of the car and after walking 5 steps they saw... A sign that says "The end of the horror quest." And some white chromakey squares. Nolan's friends are coming out from behind these squares.
The guy is in any perplexity. Everyone and even his girlfriend are shouting: "SURPRISE!" Nathan blows up a firecracker, but Nolan just stares at them in surprise. He's trying to process what just happened.
—Well, how do you like it? - Nathan smiles.
—It was his idea - Carl smiles, pointing at Nathan. Nolan looks at the sign, then at the guys and just smiles sincerely at the ground. They pranked it masterfully.
—Nolan, is everything okay? Maybe it was too cruel for you, - Nathan worried.
—No, Nathan, it's okay - Nolan smiles, looking into the eyes of his friends - it's okay.
Bonus:
—Haha. You peed in your pants, - Carl laughs.
—I'd like to see you! Why did you do that? - Nolan is angry.
—You're always such a nerd on Halloween, we wanted to rock you, - said Nathan.
—And you, Grace?
—I said we need a prank, Nathan came up with it, masterfully organized it, and Carl... he's just Carl.
—Hey, I actually came up with the name of the virus.
—Actually, - Nolan began hesitantly, - I have mixed feelings. I'm glad you just wanted to scare me, but hey, Nathan. What are you? It's too much. You will be responsible for this! Next Halloween, you'll be scared to a gray hair! And you, too, Carl.
—And what am I for?!
—Boys, - Grace called, - we just made an unforgettable Halloween for Nolan. I suggest we go and watch a horror movie.
—Oh, I'm offended by you, Grace. You're not getting candy.
—Will I get candy, Nolan? - Carl smiled.
—No. I'll punch you in the face.
—Oh, oh, oh, guys, run away from the angry Nolan! - Grace shouted.
Grace and Carl ran, but Nathan stayed. He put his hand on Nolan's shoulder.
—I'm sorry. I overdid it a bit. I'll understand if you don't talk to me.
Nolan looked at his friend.
—For some reason, I'm the least angry with you.